Plant Methodology
2 phases: a pre-development survey of perennials and shrubs, followed by a post-completion survey of all 6 plant groups (perennials, shrubs, covering plants, climbers, ferns, and aquatic plants) as follows:
01
Perennials
Surveying includes diameter at breast height (DBH), height, canopy size, and a preliminary health check.
02
Shrubs, covering plants, climbers, ferns, and aquatic plants
Details are recorded for any species found.
Animal Methodology
3 phases: before project development, during project development, and after project completion, by surveying 7 groups (birds, insects and arachnids, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, aquatic animals, and benthic species) as follows:
- Line transect: Surveyors investigate birds in the project area with binoculars, a telescope with tripod, and a voice recorder to gather bird types and numbers, as well as birdsong. The survey is conducted at 3 times – dawn, daytime, and nighttime – across the entire area.
- Point count: Surveyors go to designated locations and use the first data collection method, taking about 15-30 minutes at each location.
- Sweep net: Insects are caught during the day, targeting every flying insect, including butterflies, bees, flies, wasps, hornets, and dragonflies. The surveyor swings the net slightly above the insects then closes it to prevent them leaving the net bag. Insects are removed gently to prevent injuries.
- Light trap: A trap with a light above a white cloth background targets nocturnal insects such as moths, some types of beetles, and grasshoppers. Insects that land on the cloth are photographed and identified by species.
- Pitfall trap: The trap targets soil insects such as ants, termites, and springtails that feed on the ground at night. They fall into the trap and cannot climb out. The pit trap is left for a night then checked to collect any insects it has caught.
- Direct observation: Surveyors observe from roads or paths, covering as much of the project area as possible.
- Live trap: Traps are placed in various sub-ecosystems throughout the project area to study small mammals such as rodents and squirrels and further classify species.
- Mist net: Bat types are studied by placing 3-7 cm nets (3 m wide and 10 m high) to trap bats in all sub-ecosystems in the project area between 18.30 and 22.00. Nets are checked every 30 minutes. When bats are caught, the nets are cut and the bats are put in cloth bags to ascertain their species and measure their size.
- Tracks & signs: Mammals have diverse habitats so specific areas must be visited to gather information to study them clearly, such as bats in large trees, expressways, isolated drains. Other evidence such as sounds, footprints, stools, debris, holes, nests, traces, marks must sometimes be studied.
- Direct observation: Surveyors observe from roads or paths, covering as much of the project area as possible at 3 times: morning (07:00 – 08:00), afternoon (16:00 – 17:00), and evening (19:00 – 24:00).
- Tracks & signs: If signs such as skins, sounds, or egg traces are found, their details are recorded as biodiversity evidence for that group of animals.
- Fish net: Nets are installed parallel to the shoreline. Fish are driven into the nets and immediately checked to ascertain their species and collect data before being released back into nature.
- Nets are extended around an open area to draw animals to shore to ascertain their species, collect data, and release them back into nature.
- Animals are captured near shorelines and at waterways such as water pipes and channels. When oxygen levels are low, some trap parts are raised above the water level so animals can breathe. Between 6 and 24 hours are required to set traps. The primary goal is to research carnivorous fish that hunt at night.
- Line transect: An invertebrate belt-transect method is used, perpendicular to at least 3 shorelines. Survey lines are each 100 m long and about 50-100 m apart, depending on terrain. The survey orientation should enable the entire area to be covered.
Note: To avoid animal injuries and death, each survey method may be modified as needed.